Art and Design

Department Head: Kathy Puzey
Location: Fine Arts Visual 122 (FAV)
Phone: (435) 797-3460
FAX: (435) 797-3412
E-mail: art@usu.edu
WWW: http://www.art.usu.edu/

Assistant Head and Art Graduate Program Director:

Academic Advisors:
ART, IAD - Angela Neff, FAC 127F, (435) 797-8096, angela.neff@usu.edu
ART - Mason Hayes, FAC 127F, (435) 797-8096, mason.hayes@usu.edu

Art Education Undergraduate Advisor:
Dennise Gackstetter, FAV 114, (435) 797-1542, dennise.g@usu.edu

Degrees offered: Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Art, Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Art History, Bachelor of Science (BS) in Art, Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Art, Bachelor of Interior Design (BID), Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Art

Undergraduate emphases: Art Education, Ceramics, Drawing & Painting, Graphic Design, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture

Graduate specializations: Ceramics, Drawing & Painting, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture

Full details of the learning objectives, assessment plan, student outcomes, and evidence of continuous improvement for these programs of study can be found at www.art.usu.edu/assessment.

Undergraduate Programs

Objectives

The Department of Art and Design’s primary goal is to prepare undergraduate students for careers in art history, art education, studio art, graphic and interior design. Requirements in seven different emphasis areas address the specific needs of each career. The Department of Art and Design also serves the University community by offering courses in the University Studies program and by offering training for students in related degree programs.

Departmental Admission Requirements

Admission to the Art major is competitive.  There are four ways an undergraduate student may be admitted to the Department.

1. Following admission to USU, freshman and transfer students (with less than 30 credits) may be coded as pre-art.  Pre-Art students are not admitted to a specific degree program.

2. Transfer students and current USU students in other majors may be admitted to the BS degree following a portfolio review. Admission to the degree requires a minimum 2.75 GPA in addition to passing the portfolio review.

3. Students enrolled in the BS degree may be admitted to the BFA degree in a specific emphasis area after successfully passing a portfolio review.  Admission to the BFA degree requires a minimum 2.75 GPA in addition to passing the portfolio review.

4. Acceptance to the BA program in Art History is limited to students with a minimum 3.0 GPA who have interviewed with the Art History area coordinator.

Sample Four-year Plans 

Sample semester-by-semester four-year plans for students working toward a bachelor’s degree are available online, Art and Design.

Students should consult with their advisor to develop a plan of study tailored to their individual needs and interests.

University Honors Program

The University Honors Program offers students in all colleges and majors the unique opportunity to deepen their educational experience with hands-on practical applications of their academic knowledge. The Honors Program admits incoming, transfer, and existing USU students based on application. High achieving students with at least one year remaining are encouraged to apply.  See the University Honors Program catalog entry and website (honors.usu.edu) for more information.

Additional Information

For additional information about undergraduate requirements in the Department of Art and Design, see the department website at: http://www.art.usu.edu/.

Graduate Programs

The Department of Art and Design offers one graduate degree, the Master of Fine Arts (MFA). The Department of Art and Design also cooperates with the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services on a  Master of Education (MEd) with a specialization in art which is offered through the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services.

Application Procedures

Completed applications must include: (1) completed application forms; (2) a letter of intent; (3) transcripts of all previous graduate and undergraduate work; (4) three letters of recommendation from qualified professionals; (5) GRE or MAT scores; (6) a portfolio of recent work (20 digital images combined into a single PDF) submitted electronically; and (7) the $55 application fee.

These materials must be sent directly to the School of Graduate Studies. When complete, applications will be forwarded by the School of Graduate Studies to the Art and Design Department for review.

Completed applications and portfolios (in PDF format only) must be received by February 1. Students should note that applications will be considered only at this time, and only completed applications will be reviewed. Admission will only be considered for fall semester. The deadlines for financial aid may be earlier than the admissions deadline. For further information about financial aid, visit the Financial Aid Office in Taggart Student Center 106; write to: Financial Aid Office, Utah State University, 1800 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322-1800; or phone (435) 797-0173.

Applications are reviewed by the Art and Design Department faculty. Candidates are selected primarily on the basis of their portfolio, which should demonstrate a level of development beyond the need of classroom instruction and encouragement. The faculty will also look in the portfolio for evidence of significant personal exploration.

Secondary to the portfolio, but important nonetheless, the applicant’s letter of intent and letters of recommendation will also be given careful consideration. In reviewing these letters, the faculty will look for, among other things, indications that the applicant will be capable of prolonged and concentrated effort, guided by realistic personal goals. Letters should address both academic and artistic accomplishments, as well as potential for further growth in both of these areas.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the USU campus and meet with the faculty in their proposed field of study well in advance of the February 1 application deadline.

Important Note. Please note that the graduate programs in the Department of Art and Design have limited enrollment; admission is very competitive. There is no guarantee that applicants who meet minimum admission requirements will be accepted into the graduate  programs.

Financial Assistance

Departmental support is available to graduate students on a competitive basis. Students requesting financial support should apply to the department by February 15. Other assistance is available through the University Financial Aid Office. Students should note that applications for Federal work-study should be mailed during the first week of February.

FACULTY - Caine College of the Arts